Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is facing some criticism for stopping to pose for a quick photo before the state funeral of former finance minister Jim Flaherty on Wednesday.
Trudeau joined members of Canada's political elite — including former prime ministers Brian Mulroney and John Turner, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and several cabinet ministers — to say goodbye to Flaherty at Toronto's St. James Cathedral.
There were moments of laughter and plenty of tears from mourners who all wore green scarves in celebration of Flaherty's Irish heritage.
Many reflected after that it was the type of occasion where partisan bickering was put on hold as politicians of all stripes came together to remember a respected public servant.
But as Trudeau was making his way into the church, he obliged a woman's request for a picture on her cellphone.
CTV News caught the moment on video:
And, based on that split-second decision, Trudeau is now being accused of taking a so-called "funeral selfie."
U.S. President Barack Obama faced similar criticism when he took a cellphone photo with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the Nelson Mandela memorial in December.
The Toronto Sun tweeted a picture of Trudeau's pose on Thursday, asking followers to share their thoughts.
And the Sun News Network dedicated more than three minutes to the incident in a segment Thursday morning.
Sun host Alex Pierson told a reporter she found it "very curious" the Liberal leader found it appropriate to "take selfies" with people at the funeral, calling it a "bit gauche."
"I know people are enamoured by all the star power here but there's a time and a place. He could have easily said, 'You know I really appreciate it but today's not the day to do that,'" she said.
The conversation also shifted to a photo snapped of Trudeau helping a man in a wheelchair down a broken escalator, which trended on Twitter Wednesday. Pierson seemed to take some exception that a Trudeau staffer shared the image.
"So, random act of kindness but let's make sure we upload it," she said.
For what it's worth, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford also posed for a photo after Flaherty's funeral.
And Conservative MP Susan Truppe tweeted an image from inside the church.
Some still took to Twitter to deride Trudeau over what has been sarcastically dubbed "selfie-gate."
Others weren't convinced Trudeau deserved criticism.
And a few journalists joined the fray.
What do you think? Is this much ado about nothing or should Trudeau have taken a pass on that photo? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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